Dispensing closure

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a dispensing closure of plastic for fluid containers, wherein said dispensing closure consists of a closure body that can be fixed in a sealed fashion on a neck featuring the dispensing opening of the container and a cap that is coupled to the closure body by means of a hinge, wherein the top plate of said cap is provided with an integral sealing cone on its underside that is designed for engaging into the neck opening of the container in a sealing fashion, and wherein the dispensing closure is integrally injection-molded in the closed state and the cap is at least partially connected to the closure body by at least one predetermined breaking point between an annular cover of the closure body and a cap shell.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention pertains to a dispensing closure of plastic for fluidcontainers with a closure body that can be fixed in a sealed fashion ona neck featuring the dispensing opening of the container, and with a capthat is coupled to the closure body by means of a hinge and the topplate of which is provided with a sealing cone on its underside that isdesigned for engaging into the neck opening of the container in asealing fashion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIORART

Dispensing closures of the above-mentioned type are usuallyinjection-molded in such a way that the cap is in the open position,wherein the cap of the open dispensing closure is frequently closedafter the injection-mauling process within the plastic injection-maulingmachine by utilizing special tools.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the objective of manufacturing adispensing closure of the initially cited type in a less complex fashionsuch that its manufacture can be realized in a simpler and moreeconomical fashion.

According to the invention, this objective is attained in that thedispensing closure is integrally injection-molded in the closed state,wherein the cap is at least partially connected to the closure body byat least one predetermined breaking point between an annular cover ofthe closure body and a cap shell.

Practical characteristics for additionally developing the invention aredisclosed in the dependent claims.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the at least one predeterminedbreaking point extends in a horizontal plane that is arrangedperpendicular to the main axis of the dispensing closure and ends toboth sides of the hinge that connects the inner edge of the annularcover of the closure body to the outer side of the cap shell.

A second embodiment of the inventive dispensing closure features atleast one predetermined breaking point that extends over 360°, as wellas a band-shaped hinge on the outer side of the dispensing closure,wherein the ends of this band-shaped hinge are respectively coupled tothe closure body and to the cap.

In all embodiments of the present invention, the web and/or the webs ofthe predetermined breaking point between the annular cover of theclosure body and the bottom region of the cap shell may be arranged atthe height of the upper side of the annular cover of the closure body.However, if the dispensing closure according to the invention is usedfor closing a container or a bottle that contains a beverage and thedispensing closure simultaneously serves as a drinking closure, throughwhich the user can directly withdraw the beverage, it is preferred toutilize an embodiment of the predetermined breaking point, in which thesingle web or the webs of the predetermined breaking point between theannular cover of the closure body and the lower end region of the capshell is arranged at the height of the underside of the annular cover.Due to this measure, the mouth of the user essentially comes in contactwith smooth surfaces of the dispensing closure only.

In an additional development of the aforementioned embodiment of theinvention, the cap has a contour in the shape of a truncated cone with atop plate, from the outer edge of which the cap shell extends to theannular cover of the closure body, wherein the cap can be fixed in itsopen position by means of a locking device. A cap that is shaped in theform of a truncated cone makes it possible to provide the closure bodywith a beak-shaped drinking spout, wherein the locking device locks thecap in its open position such that the user can withdraw the beveragesituated in the container or the bottle from the dispensing closure inan unobstructed fashion. The locking device may be advantageouslyrealized in the form of a tongue-and-groove connection between the rearside of the cap and the annular cover of the closure body. The lockinggroove may extend over a larger angle of the circumference and beslightly bent toward the upper side of the cap. The locking groovepreferably has a rectangular cross section that approximatelycorresponds to the cross section of the locking web such that the cap isheld in the open position and can be released manually.

In order to fix the dispensing closure on a container neck, the closurebody may be provided with a round circumferential shell, e.g., acylindrical shell that is provided with an internal thread for screwingthe closure body on an external thread of the container neck in a sealedfashion. However, the inner side of the closure body shell may also beprovided with at least one locking bead for snapping the closure body onthe container neck, wherein the at least one locking bead of the closurebody engages underneath at least one outer bead of the container neck.

The lower edge of the closure body shell may also be provided with atamperproofing band that is arranged over a circumferentialpredetermined breaking line, wherein the tamperproofing band inseparablyengages underneath an annular bead on the outer side of the containerneck. It is particularly preferred to provide at least one supportingelement that extends radially outward from the bottom region of the capshell, namely a certain distance above the annular cover of the closurebody. Due to this measure, containers or bottles equipped with theinventive dispensing closure can be stacked on top of one anotherwithout risking damages to the dispensing closures. The supportingelement may be advantageously realized in a plate-shaped fashion. Theradial length of the at least one plate-shaped supporting and closingelement may approximately correspond to half the width of the annularcover of the closure body. The at least one supporting elementpreferably has an arc-shaped outer edge, the radius of which is smallerthan the radius of the lower end region of the cap.

In a second embodiment of the dispensing closure according to thepresent invention, the at least one predetermined breaking point mayextend around the entire closure, i.e., over 360°, wherein the cap isconnected to the annular cover of the closure body by a band-shapedhinge, the ends of which are coupled to the rear side of the cap shelland to the upper side of the annular cover of the closure body, i.e.,outside. In this case, the circumferential cap shell that is arrangedparallel to the main axis of the dispensing closure may be provided withat least one closing element a certain distance above the annular coverof the closure body, wherein said closing element is preferably formedby the at least one supporting element and protrudes radially outwardfrom two diametrically opposite sides of the cap. If the cap is in itsclosed position after the initial use of the dispensing closure and thedestruction of the at least one predetermined breaking point, the atleast one supporting and closing element lies on the annular cover ofthe closure body and thus limits the closing movement of the cap.

It is also preferred to arrange at least one snap-on or fixing bead onthe outer side of the cap shell, wherein said bead engages underneath aninner edge of the annular cover of the closure body after the initialuse of the dispensing closure and locks the cap in the closed position.Such a snap-on or fixing bead may be advantageously arranged a certaindistance underneath the at least one supporting and closing element insuch a way that the closing movement of the cap is limited by thecontact of the at least one supporting and closing element with theannular cover of the closure body and the snap-on or fixing bead engagesunderneath the inner edge of the annular cover. In addition, the lowerend of the closure body shell may be advantageously provided with anannular flange that can be connected in a sealed fashion to the edge ofan opening in a cardboard beverage pack by means of welding.

It is also practical to provide a handling aid for opening the cap onthe front of its upper side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in greater detail below withreference to several embodiments that are schematically illustrated inthe figures. The figures show:

FIG. 1, a front view of a first embodiment of the dispensing closureaccording to the invention in the closed state;

FIG. 2, a side view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a rear view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4, a top view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 5, an enlarged representation of the detail A in FIG. 2 that showsthe position of a predetermined breaking web;

FIG. 6, an enlarged representation of the detail B in FIG. 2 that showsa locking device for the opened cap;

FIG. 7, an enlarged central longitudinal section of the dispensingclosure according to FIGS. 1-6 with an open, locked cap;

FIG. 8, an enlarged representation of the encircled detail C in FIG. 7with the locking device for the cap;

FIG. 9, a front view of a second embodiment of a dispensing closureaccording to the invention;

FIG. 10, a side view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 11, a rear view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 12, a top view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 9;

FIG. 13, an enlarged representation of the detail D in FIG. 10 thatshows a different position of a predetermined breaking web;

FIG. 14, a front view of a third embodiment of a dispensing closureaccording to the invention;

FIG. 15, a side view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 16, a rear view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 17, a top view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 14;

FIG. 18, an enlarged representation of the encircled detail E in FIG.15;

FIG. 19, an enlarged central longitudinal section of the dispensingclosure according to FIG. 14 with open cap;

FIG. 20, an enlarged central longitudinal section of a fourth embodimentof a dispensing closure for a cardboard container with open cap;

FIG. 21, an enlarged central longitudinal section of the dispensingclosure according to FIG. 20 in the closed state after its initial use;

FIG. 22, an enlarged representation of the encircled detail F in FIG.21;

FIG. 23, a front view of a fifth embodiment of the dispensing closureaccording to the invention;

FIG. 24, a side view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 25, a rear view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 26, a top view of the dispensing closure according to FIG. 23, and

FIG. 27, an enlarged central longitudinal section of the encircleddetail G in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of an inventive dispensing closure of plastic forfluid containers are illustrated in the figures and described below,wherein said dispensing closure consists of a closure body that can befixed in a sealed fashion on a neck featuring the dispensing opening ofthe container and a cap that is coupled to the closure body by means ofa hinge, wherein the top plate of said cap is provided with a sealingcone on its underside that is designed for engaging into the neckopening of the container in a sealing fashion, and wherein thedispensing closure is characterized in that it is integrallyinjection-molded in the closed state and the cap is at least partiallyconnected to the closure body by at least one predetermined breakingpoint.

FIGS. 1 through 8 show a dispensing closure 30, in particular, forbeverage bottles that consists of a closure body 32 and a cap 34 that isconnected to the closure body 32 by an integral hinge 36 in FIG. 4 andintegrally manufactured in the closed state of a plastic such as, e.g.,polypropylene by means of injection-mauling.

The closure body 32 features an annular cover 38, from the outer edge ofwhich a circumferential shell 40 (FIG. 2) protrudes in the direction ofa not-shown flexible or rigid container. According to FIG. 5, the innerside of the shell 40 is provided with a fixing means in the form of aninternal thread 42 or, e.g., at least one snap-on bead in order totightly fix the closure body 32 on the neck of the container that isequipped with corresponding fixing means on its outer side. The outerside of the shell 40 is at least sectionally provided with a ribbing 44in order to improve the grip. The lower edge of the shell 40 is providedwith a tamperproofing band 48 that is arranged over at least onecircumferential predetermined breaking point 46, wherein saidtamperproofing band engages underneath an annular bead on the outer sideof the container neck and is permanently held in this position such thatthe detaching or unscrewing of the closure body 32 from the containercan be immediately detected. The predetermined breaking point 46 mayconsist of a single continuous, circumferential web of reduced wallthickness or of a plurality of webs of reduced wall thickness orthickness that are spaced apart from one another by identical ordifferent clearances.

The cap 34 essentially has the shape of a truncated cone with a topplate 50 that extends about perpendicular to the main axis x-x of thedispensing closure 30, wherein horizontal gripping grooves are arrangedon the upper front side of the cap 34 as a handling aid 52 in order tosimplify the operation of the cap 34. According to FIG. 5, the bottomregion 54 of a cap shell 55 that has the shape of a truncated cone isconnected to an inner edge 39 of the annular cover 38 by at least onepredetermined breaking point 56 at the height of the annular cover 38,wherein said predetermined breaking point circumferentially extends fromthe front side of the dispensing closure 30 to the two respective sidesof the integral hinge 36, e.g., over at least approximately 270°.

FIG. 5 shows a predetermined breaking web 58 that is arranged at theheight of the underside of the annular cover 38 of the closure body 32and thus simplifies the handling of the dispensing closure 30 andprovides better protection for the user if the dispensing closure 30 isfixed on a beverage container or a beverage bottle and the user directlydrinks the beverage through the open dispensing closure 30 placedagainst the mouth. As described above with reference to thepredetermined breaking point 46, the predetermined breaking web 58 mayconsist of a single continuous, circumferential web of reduced wallthickness or thickness or of a predetermined breaking web with aplurality of such predetermined breaking webs that are spaced apart byidentical or different clearances in the circumferential direction ofthe closure.

FIG. 5 also shows that a sealing cone 62 extends downward from thebottom region 54 of the cap shell 55 in the shape of a truncated conethat is connected to the inner edge 39 of the annular cover 38, i.e.,radially within the at least one predetermined breaking point 56,wherein said sealing cone engages in a sealing fashion into a neckopening of the container in the closed state. The sealing cone 62 isprovided with a circumferential sealing bead 64 on the lower end of itsouter side in order to additionally improve the sealing effect.

FIG. 6 shows a locking device 66 for the cap 34 that is indicated in theform of an encircled detail B in FIG. 2. When the cap 34 is opened, thepredetermined breaking web 58 of the linear predetermined breaking point56 is destroyed such that the cap 34 can be pivoted about the integralhinge 36 and locked in its open position by means of the locking device66 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The locking device 66 consists of a lockinggroove 68 in the rear side of the cap 34 that extends in the shape of anarc in the circumferential direction and in the direction of the topplate 50 of the cap 34 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This arc shape of thelocking groove 68 in the circumferential direction of the cap shell 55that has the shape of a truncated cone significantly simplifies theengagement with a locking web 70 that protrudes from the annular cover38 of the closure body 32 about parallel to the main axis x-x of thedispensing closure 30 on the rear side of the dispensing closure 30. Thelocking web 70 has a cross section that essentially corresponds to thatof the locking groove 68. Consequently, the cap 34 that is provided witha projecting handling aid 52 in this case is firmly but separably heldin the open position as illustrated in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 8 that showsan enlarged representation of the encircled detail C in FIG. 7 such thatthe direct withdrawal of the container contents through the opendispensing closure 30 is simplified.

FIGS. 9 through 13 show a second embodiment of an inventive dispensingclosure, wherein reference symbols that identify components identical orsimilar to the first embodiment are preceded by the numeral “2.”

In this second embodiment of a dispensing closure 230 that isillustrated in FIGS. 9 through 13, at least one plate-shaped supportingelement 272 is provided that extends radially outward from both sides ofthe cap 234 perpendicular to the main axis x-x of the dispensing closure230, namely a short distance above the annular cover 238 of the closurebody 232. It serves for stacking identical containers or bottles on topof one another without damaging the dispensing closures 230. The atleast one supporting element 272 protrudes toward about diametricallyopposite sides in an arc-shaped fashion from the cap shell 255 of thecap 234 over a radial length of up to about half the width of theannular cover 238, wherein the radius of its arc-shaped outer edge issmaller than the radius of the bottom region 254 of the cap 234 in theshape of a truncated cone. The opening of the cap 234 about the integralhinge 236 also leads to the simultaneous destruction of the at least onepredetermined breaking web 360 of the predetermined breaking point 256in this case.

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged representation of the encircled detail B inFIG. 10, in which a single predetermined breaking web 260 of apredetermined breaking point 256 that continuously extends up to anintegral hinge 236 in the circumferential direction is arranged at theheight of the upper side of the annular cover 238, wherein thisconfiguration provides certain advantages with respect to theinjection-mauling technology in comparison with the predeterminedbreaking point 58 in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 14 through 19 show a third embodiment of an inventive dispensingclosure 330 for bottles containing fluids, wherein this dispensingclosure is also integrally injection-molded of plastic in the closedstate, and wherein reference symbols that identify components identicalor similar to the first embodiment are preceded by the numeral “3.”

The significant differences in comparison with the above-describedembodiments can be seen in that the cap 334 is connected to the closurebody 332 by means of a predetermined breaking point 356 that extendsover 360° (FIG. 18), but may also consist of a single continuous,circumferential predetermined breaking web of reduced wall thickness orof several predetermined breaking webs of reduced wall thickness thatare spaced apart from one another by identical and/or differentclearances. In addition, the cap 334 has an essentially cylindricalshell 355, to the outer rear side of which one end of a band-shapedhinge 336 is coupled at 337, wherein the other end of this hinge iscoupled to the annular cover 338 of the closure body 332 at 341 suchthat the hinge 336 extends between the cap 334 and the annular cover 338of the closure body 332 at a radial distance from the cap shell 355.

FIG. 18 shows that a sealing cone 362 also extends downward from abottom region 354 of the cap shell 355 that lies at the height of theannular cover 338 in this embodiment, wherein this sealing cone alsoserves for sealing an opening in the bottle neck when the bottle needsto be securely closed before the dispensing closure 330 is opened anew.

A handling aid 352 protrudes forward from the cap shell 355, but couldalso consist of a depression in the cap shell 355 in this case.

At least one supporting element 372 realized similar to that of thefirst embodiment is also provided in this case in order to stack thebottles or containers on top of one another.

In addition, a tamperproofing band 348 is provided analogous to thefirst and second embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows the dispensing closure 330 in the opened state, whereinthe remains of the at least one predetermined breaking web 360 are shownon the inner edge 339 of the closure body 332 and in the bottom region354 of the cap shell 355, and wherein this figure also shows thehinge-like couplings 337 and 341 of the band-shaped hinge 336.

FIGS. 20 through 22 show a fourth embodiment of a dispensing closure 430according to the present invention that is integrally injection-moldedof plastic in the closed state, wherein reference symbols that identifycomponents identical or similar to the above-described embodiments arepreceded by a numeral “4.”

This fourth embodiment of the dispensing closure 430 is intended forcardboard packs, particularly cardboard beverage packs. To this end, theunderside of a closure body 432 is provided with an annular flange 433to be welded into an opening in the cardboard pack containing a fluid orbeverage. The closure body 432 is once again integrally connected to theround cap 434 by a predetermined breaking point 456 that extends over360° and consists of a single continuous predetermined breaking web or aplurality of predetermined breaking webs that are spaced apart from oneanother, as well as by an outer band-shaped hinge 436. The hinge 436 iscoupled to the outer rear side of the cap shell 455 and to the annularcover 438 of the closure body 432 analogous to the third embodiment.

One significant difference in comparison with the above-describedembodiments is a circumferential snap-on or fixing bead 435 arranged ashort distance above the at least one 360° predetermined breaking point456 on the cap shell 455. The remains of at least one predeterminedbreaking web that is arranged on the upper side of an inner edge 439 anddestroyed when the cap 434 is opened are identified by the referencesymbol 460 and illustrated on the inner edge 439 of the annular cover438 as well as on the cap shell 455. The inner edge 439 features aninclined surface 447 that lies underneath the predetermined breakingpoint 456 and extends downward and outward, wherein this inclinedsurface forms the outer side of a circumferential predetermined breakinggroove, the opposite groove wall of which is formed by the cap shell455. According to FIG. 22, the snap-on or fixing bead 435 engagesunderneath the destroyed predetermined breaking point 456 on the inneredge 439 of the cover 438 when the cap 434 is reclosed, wherein saidbead ultimately adjoins the inclined surface 447 such that the cap 434is fixed in its reclosed position.

FIGS. 23 through 27 show a fifth embodiment of an inventive dispensingclosure 530 for cardboard packs, wherein reference symbols that identifycomponents identical or similar to the above-described embodiments arepreceded by a numeral “5.”

In FIGS. 23 through 27, the circumferential cap shell 534 is realizedcylindrical referred to the main axis x-x of the dispensing closure 530and provided with at least one supporting element 572 a certain distanceabove the annular cover 538 of the closure body 532, wherein saidsupporting element simultaneously serves as a closing element thatprotrudes radially outward from two diametrically opposite sides of thecap 534 and lies on the annular cover 538 of the closure body 532 in theclosed position of the cap 534 after at least one predetermined breakingpoint 556 was destroyed due to the initial use of the dispensing closure530.

In addition, at least one snap-on bead 535 is arranged on the outer sideof the cap shell 555 a certain distance underneath the at least oneflange-shaped supporting and closing element 572, wherein said beadengages underneath the inner edge 539 of the annular cover 538 of theclosure body 530 in the closed position of the cap 534 after the initialuse of the dispensing closure 530 and thus locks the cap.

According to FIGS. 23 through 25 and, in particular, FIG. 27, the fixingor snap-on bead 535 is arranged on the outer side of the cap shell 555at a height that lies about centrally between the annular cover 538 andthe at least one plate-shaped supporting and closing element 572. Afterthe cap 534 is initially opened by destroying the at least onepredetermined breaking point 556 extending over 360°, this supportingand closing element 572 strikes against the annular cover 538 of theclosure body 532 at the end of the closing movement of the cap 534 andseals the opening of the closure body 532 surrounded by the cover 538.

The outer side of the cap shell 555 that extends between the supportingand closing element 572 and the annular cover 538 serves as a sealingsurface 545 when the cap 534 is reclosed after the initial opening ofthe dispensing closure 530. In this case, the axial spacing between thecircumferential fixing or snap-on bead 535 and the supporting element572 is chosen such that the fixing bead 535 assumes the position shownin FIG. 21, i.e., it adjoins the inclined surface 547 on the inner edge539 of the annular cover 538 in a sealing fashion.

As in the above-described embodiments, a sealing cone 562 also extendsdownward from the cap shell 555 in this case and serves as a seal if thedispensing closure 530 needs to be securely closed after the initial useor fluid withdrawal from the cardboard pack.

In addition, a handling aid 552 for opening the cap 534 is provided onthe front upper side thereof.

It is obvious that the cap 534 can be additionally pressed into theopening of the closure body 532 after the destruction of the at leastone predetermined breaking web 560 of the 360° predetermined breakingpoint 556, namely such that the snap-on or fixing bead 535 now engagesunderneath the inner edge 539 of the annular cover 538 that waspreviously connected to the cap shell 554 by the predetermined breakingpoint 556 and its at least one predetermined breaking web 560. Areliable seal of the cardboard pack therefore is also ensured after thedispensing closure 530 is reclosed due to the contact between thesnap-on bead 535 and the inclined surface 547 underneath the inner edge539 of the annular cover 538.

1. A dispensing closure (30; 230; 330; 430; 530) made of a plasticmaterial for fluid containers, with a closure body (32; 232; 332; 432;532) that can be fixed in a sealed fashion on a neck featuring thedispensing opening of the container and a cap (34; 234; 334; 434; 534)that is coupled to the closure body (32; 232; 332; 432; 532) by means ofa hinge (36; 236; 336; 436; 536), wherein the top plate (50; 250; 350;450; 550) of said cap is provided with an integral sealing cone (62;262; 362; 462; 562) on its underside that is designed for engaging intothe neck opening of the container in a sealing fashion, characterized inthat the dispensing closure (30; 230; 330; 430; 530) is integrallyinjection-molded in the closed state and the cap (34; 234; 334; 434;534) is at least partially connected to the closure body (32; 232; 332;432; 532) by at least one predetermined breaking point (56; 256; 356;456; 556) between an annular cover (38; 238; 338; 438; 538) of theclosure body (32; 232; 332; 432; 532) and a cap shell (55; 255; 355;455; 555).
 2. The dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterizedin that the at least one predetermined breaking point (56; 256) extendsin a horizontal plane of the dispensing closure (30; 230) that isarranged perpendicular to the main axis (x-x) of the dispensing closure(30; 230) and ends to both sides of the hinge (36; 236) that connectsthe inner edge (39; 239) of the annular cover (38, 238) of the closurebody (32; 232) to the outer side of the cap shell (55; 255).
 3. Thedispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the atleast one web (260) of the predetermined breaking point (256) betweenthe annular cover (238) of the closure body (232) and the bottom region(254) of the cap shell (255) is arranged at the height of the upper sideof the annular cover (238) of the closure body (232).
 4. The dispensingclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one web(58) of the predetermined breaking point (56) between the annular cover(38) of the closure body (32) and the bottom region (54) of the capshell (55) is arranged at the height of the underside of the annularcover (38) of the closure body (32).
 5. The dispensing closure accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the cap (34; 234) has the contour of atruncated cone with a top plate (50; 250), from the outer edge of whichthe cap shell (55; 255) extends to the annular cover (38; 238) of theclosure body (32; 232), wherein the cap (34; 234) can be fixed in itsopen position by a locking device (66; 266).
 6. The dispensing closureaccording to claim 5, characterized in that the locking device (66; 266)consists of a tongue-and-groove connection (68, 70; 268, 270) betweenthe rear side of the cap (34; 234) and the annular cover (38; 238) ofthe closure body (32; 232).
 7. The dispensing closure according to claim6, characterized in that the locking groove (68; 268) extends over alarger angle of the circumference and is slightly bent toward the upperside of the cap (34; 234).
 8. The dispensing closure according to claim7, characterized in that the locking groove (68; 268) has a rectangularcross section, wherein the cross section of the locking web (70; 270)approximately corresponds to the cross section of the locking groovesuch that the cap (34; 234) is held in the open position, but can bemanually released.
 9. The dispensing closure according to claim 1,characterized in that the closure body (32; 232; 332) has a cylindricalshell (40; 240; 340) that is provided with an interior thread (42; 242;342) for screwing the closure body (32; 232; 332) on an external threadof the container neck in a sealed fashion.
 10. The dispensing closureaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a shell (40; 240; 340)extending downward from the annular cover (38; 238; 338) of the closurebody (32; 232; 332) is provided with at least one locking bead on itsinner side in order to snap the closure body (32; 232; 332) on thecontainer neck, wherein the at least one locking bead of the closurebody (32; 232; 332) engages underneath at least one outer bead of thecontainer neck.
 11. The dispensing closure according to claim 10,characterized in that a tamperproofing band (48; 248; 348) is fixed onthe lower edge of the shell (40; 240; 340) of the closure body (32; 232;332), namely over at least one predetermined breaking point (46; 246;346), wherein the tamperproofing band (48; 248; 348) engages underneathan annular bead on the outer side of the container neck.
 12. Thedispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that at leastone supporting element (272; 373; 572) extends radially outward from thebottom region (254; 354; 554) of the cap shell (55; 255; 355).
 13. Thedispensing closure according to claim 12, characterized in that the atleast one supporting element (272; 372; 572) is realized in aplate-shaped fashion and arranged a certain distance above the annularcover (238; 338; 538) of the closure body (232; 332; 532).
 14. Thedispensing closure according to claim 13, characterized in that theradial length of the at least one plate-shaped supporting element (272;372; 572) approximately corresponds to half the width of the annularcover (238; 338; 538) of the closure body (232; 332; 532).
 15. Thedispensing closure according to claim 12, characterized in that the atleast one supporting element (272; 372; 572) has an arc-shaped outeredge, the radius of which is smaller than the radius of the bottomregion (254; 354; 554) of the cap shell (255; 355; 555).
 16. Thedispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the atleast one predetermined breaking point (356; 456; 556) extends aroundthe entire closure and the cap (334; 434; 534) is connected to theannular cover (338; 438; 538) of the closure body (332; 432; 532) by aband-shaped hinge (336; 436; 536), the ends of which are coupled to therear side of the cap shell (355; 455; 555) and to the upper side of theannular cover (338; 438; 538) of the closure body (332; 432; 538). 17.The dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that atleast one snap-on bead (435; 535) is arranged on the outer side of thecap shell (455; 555) and engages underneath the inner edge (439; 539) ofthe annular cover (438; 538) of the closure body (432; 532) after theinitial opening of the dispensing closure (430; 530).
 18. The dispensingclosure according to claim 17, characterized in that the snap-on bead(535) is arranged on the outer side of the cap shell (555) a certaindistance underneath the supporting and closing elements (572) in theoriginal state of the dispensing closure (530) and engages underneaththe inner edge (539) of the annular cover (538) of the closure body(532) after the initial opening of the dispensing closure (530).
 19. Thedispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that thecircumferential cap shell (555) arranged perpendicular to the main axis(x-x) of the dispensing closure (530) is provided with at least onesupporting and closing element (572) a certain distance above theannular cover (538) of the closure body (532), wherein said supportingand closing element protrudes radially outward from two diametricallyopposite sides of the cap (534) and limits the closed position of thecap (534) on the annular cover (538) of the closure body (532) after thepredetermined breaking point (556) is destroyed due to the initial useof the dispensing closure (530).
 20. The dispensing closure according toclaim 1, characterized in that the bottom region (453; 553) of the capshell (455; 555) of the closure body (432; 532) is provided with anannular flange (433; 533) that can be fixed in a sealed fashion on theedge of an opening in a cardboard beverage pack by means of welding. 21.The dispensing closure according to claim 1, characterized in that ahandling aid (52; 253; 352; 452; 552) for opening the cap (34; 234; 334;434; 534) is provided on the front side thereof.